Best choice?

27 December 2021, 01:41

Steve Ahrenberg

Best choice?

Gents,

I've joined a private range that offers long range steel. I have a couple rifles that would both probably be suitable to build up as long range shooters.

Ruger 77 Mark II .300 Win mag. Bill Wiseman custom.

Weatherby Mark V SS fluted barrel 7mm Weatherby Mag.

Both have Swarovski 4 x 12's and both have good, crisp Timney triggers. I am not sure if I need an adjustable turret scope dealio of not?

I'm new to LRS and will accept any and all advise.

I also have a Ferret .50BMG with a big Nightforce, 5x25 x 56.

The only place I can shoot it is way out in the desert about an hours drive. None of the ranges close-by allow them yet. I would consider a scope swap.

What say ye...

27 December 2021, 05:15

jpl

Why not take the Ruger out to the range the way it is and give it a try? Use the experience to guide your build.

27 December 2021, 17:05

SlamFire

Just take those 300 magnum out and bang away.

There was a time when the 300 Win Mag was used in 1000 yard NRA competition but when 6.5 mm improved ballistic bullets finally made it on to the market, those cannons were set aside. 300 Magnums have tremendous blast and recoil, both of which promote flinch. And, all that horsepower is not conducive to accuracy in standard actions because things flex so much.

But, just go out and shoot the things, you will develop your own opinions about them at the range. Might as well shoot the barrels out, before chasing the next cartridge du jour.

28 December 2021, 23:44

ZekeShikar

Both rifles would be good for big game hunting especially paired with your scope choices.

BUT.... smaller cartridges seem to promote shooter accuracy and the barrels last longer.

There's a real love/hate for the 6.5, or even the 6mm, Creedmoor's but they work well for target application and you'd be hard pressed to find better.

Yes, If you're shooting multiple distances at gongs, turrets are the only way to go.

There's my 2 cents and it was free.

Zeke

30 December 2021, 15:33

p dog shooter

quote:
I've joined a private range that offers long range steel

What is long range.

30 December 2021, 16:44

Saeed

Take both.

Try them.

And pick the best that suits your purpose.

30 December 2021, 17:22

Steve Ahrenberg

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
quote:
I've joined a private range that offers long range steel

What is long range.

There is AR500 steel out to 700 for sure. They get moved frequently and can go out to 1000’. They aren’t marked as to make you find the targets and establish firing solutions.

The part I find most intriguing, when you reserve a range, it’s yours. Not a bunch of muzzle-blast or over-zealous range masters looking for someone to embarrass.

01 January 2022, 08:15

Johnny reb

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Gents,

I've joined a private range that offers long range steel. I have a couple rifles that would both probably be suitable to build up as long range shooters.

Ruger 77 Mark II .300 Win mag. Bill Wiseman custom.

Weatherby Mark V SS fluted barrel 7mm Weatherby Mag.

Both have Swarovski 4 x 12's and both have good, crisp Timney triggers. I am not sure if I need an adjustable turret scope dealio of not?

I'm new to LRS and will accept any and all advise.

I also have a Ferret .50BMG with a big Nightforce, 5x25 x 56.

The only place I can shoot it is way out in the desert about an hours drive. None of the ranges close-by allow them yet. I would consider a scope swap.

What say ye...

The .300 or 7 mag are fine.
The good news is you can add adjustable turrett scope dealios

01 January 2022, 22:40

bghntr416

A muzzle break would be a big help if one of your rifles had one. I would probably pick the weatherby. Put a break on it. Put the NF scope on it. Sight it in at 200 yards, 3/4 inches left of the center. Chrono the load and run the ballistics on one of the free online ballistics calculators. Get a good quality range finder. A bipod for prone shooting then go out and start ringing steel.

02 January 2022, 07:29

JonP

If you're reloading you can find very high BC 7mm bullets well suited to LR.

02 January 2022, 21:45

AnotherAZWriter

quote:
Originally posted by bghntr416:
A muzzle break would be a big help if one of your rifles had one. I would probably pick the weatherby. Put a break on it. Put the NF scope on it. Sight it in at 200 yards, 3/4 inches left of the center. Chrono the load and run the ballistics on one of the free online ballistics calculators. Get a good quality range finder. A bipod for prone shooting then go out and start ringing steel.

Assume your 3/4 inch left of center is for spin drift; I zero dead on at 500 with no wind and find that offset is .3 inches at 200, or about a click.

03 January 2022, 18:47

Steve Ahrenberg

quote:
Originally posted by bghntr416:
A muzzle break would be a big help if one of your rifles had one. I would probably pick the weatherby. Put a break on it. Put the NF scope on it. Sight it in at 200 yards, 3/4 inches left of the center. Chrono the load and run the ballistics on one of the free online ballistics calculators. Get a good quality range finder. A bipod for prone shooting then go out and start ringing steel.

Thanks for that. That's the kind of info I was looking for. Rifle does not have a muzzle break, but after getting my feet wet, can add.

03 January 2022, 18:51

Steve Ahrenberg

quote:
Originally posted by JonP:
If you're reloading you can find very high BC 7mm bullets well suited to LR.

Hornady makes a 190 gr. A-Tip, match bullet with a G7 at .422. Not sure about all the G1,G7 or the 'mach' data

03 January 2022, 19:09

AnotherAZWriter

Steve:

Get the latest SIG or BR4 rangefinders; they take into account spin drift and aerodynamic jump - as well as things like altitude, temp, etc.

14 March 2022, 09:21

Use Enough Gun

quote:
Yes, If you're shooting multiple distances at gongs, turrets are the only way to go.

I've got Swarovski Z-5's on many of my rifles and have ordered and use the custom turrets made for them. I can dial waaaay out there, after reading the distance on my Swarovski or Leica Range finding binos. Ordered them from Outdoorsmans's in Phoenix. Easy peasy.